Woodworker&#39;s hand plane



June 19, 1956 G HI PALM WOODWORKERS HAND PLANE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .Filed May 24, 1952 June 19, 1956 G. H. PALM WOODWORKERS HAND PLANE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 24, 1952 @bmw WOODWORKERS HAND PLANE George H. Palm, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 24, 1952, Serial No. 289,847

9 Claims. (Cl. 14S- 14) The invention relates generally to hand planes for woodworking, and the like, and more particularly to such a plane adapted for rabbeting, routing, and the like.

The invention has among its objects the production of such a plane which is so constructed that the bulk of the component parts thereof may be formed as simple, relatively inexpensive sheet metal stampings resulting in a plane which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and, at the same time, is efficient and durable in use.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a plane utilizing a novel adjusting and locking structure by means of which the cutting blade may be readily and accurately adjusted, and irmly locked in any of its adjusted positions.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a plane which incorporates a gauge and marker therewith, the latter being so incorporated with the blade lockstructure that a common locking means may be employed for both the blade and the gauge.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end, my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in -the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of `a plane embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear end elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 33 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken approximately on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

While there have been planes of a type similar to that here involved on the market, in the past such planes have normally been of cast construction requiring machining, drilling and threading operations in the manufacture thereof, and consequently, have been relatively expensive.

The present invention contemplates a structure which is so designed that most of the components of the plane may be fabricated from sheet metal by means of relatively simple stamping operations, and requiring a4 minimum number of dies and operations to produce the required components.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. l, 2, and 3, the reference numeral 1 indicates generally a plane body comprising a base member 2 and a handgripping structure, indicated generally by the numeral 3. The base member 2 is suitably formed from sheet metal by means of stamping operations, or the like, and is U-shaped in transverse cross. section to form a pair of side walls 4 connected at their lower edges by a bottom wall 5, the exterior face 6 of which forms the work engaging surface of the plane. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the base member 1 is provided with a recess or notch 7 formed in the bottom Wall 5 and side walls 4, with nited States Patent rice a portion of the material forming the side walls 4 adjacent the recess 7 being deformed inwardly to provide reinforcing, internal ilanges 8 adjacent the recess 7.

The hand-gripping structure 3 is illustrated as comprising a pair of like members 9` also formed from sheet metal by means of suitable stamping operations, the members 9 being generally triangular in shape. As illustrated in Fig. l, the front edge 11 and the bottom edge 12 of the structure 3 are straight and intersect one another at substantially right angles, with the third edge 13 having a concave curvature as illustrated in Fig. 4. Both the edges 11 and 12 on each of the members 9 are provided with inturned flanges 14, and in like manner, the curved edges 13 of the members 9 are provided with inturned flanges 15, the latter being curved in cross section to form a rounded edge which provides a convenient gripping surface by means of which the plane may be manually operated.

The flanges 11 and 12 of the members 9 are each provided with a pair of notches 16 and 17 therein, and referring to Figs. 1, 5, and 6, it will be noted that the notches 16 and 17 are aligned on their respective flanges 11 and 12, and likewise, the notches on the flanges 11 are similarly positioned with respect to the notches on the ilanges 12, so that the members 9 may be constructed from the same die, and merely reversed to form left and right hand members comprising the structure 3.

The hand-gripping structure 3 is secured to the base member 2 by a pair of rivets 18 passing through the side walls 4 and walls 10 of the members 9, suitable sleeves or collars 19 encircling each rivet to insure a rigid connection between the member 2 and the members 9, as well as maintain the latter in fixed relation with respect to each other.

Positioned in the structure 3 and extending downwardly from the top edge 21 thereof is a screw 22 having a knurled, or otherwise suitably formed gripping head 23 by means of which the screw may be rotated. Carried by the screw 22 is a cutting blade, indicated generally by the numeral 24, formed from at strip stock, and having a vertically extending shank portion 25, the rear face of which bears against the adjacent portions of the edges 11 of the hand-gripping structure 3. The blade 24 is provided with oppositely directed, generally horizontally extending end portions 26 and 27, the end portion 27 having a threaded bore 28 therein through which is threaded the adjusting screw 22, so that by rotating the latter, the blade 24 may be moved vertically with respect to the plane body. The lower end portion 26 of the blade is suitably beveled at its free end to form a cutting edge 29, and as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6, the end portion 26 may be ared outwardly whereby the cutting edge 29 is of the same width as the external dimension between the walls 4 of the base member 2.

The blade 24 is locked in any of its adjusted positions by an elongated compression member, indicated generally by the numeral 31, the latter being of a width to be positioned in the base member 2 between the walls 4. The member 31 is provided with a vertically extending portion 32 which bears against the adjacent face of the shank portion 25 of the blade 24, the upper end of the vertical portion 32 terminating in a horizontally disposed flange 33 provided with a semi-circular notch 34 in the endl edge thereof, the ange 33 being positioned in the slots 17 in the structure 3, and extending into a peripheral slot 35 formed on the'shank of the screw 22, the interlocking construction thus formed preventing axial movement of the screw 22. Extending from the vertical portion 32 'of the member 31 is a generally horizontally extending portion 36 which extends horizontally from the vertical portion 32 a suicient distance to clear the flanges 8, as indicated at 37, and then inclines-downwardly, as indicated at 38, to .a .horizontally .extending portion 3 9 which bears on the bottom 5 of the base member l. The portion 31 is then bent upwardly, as indicated at 4l, with the free end terminating in a horizontally extending portion 42.

' :Positioned adjacent the frontend 43 of the base member 2 and extending between the side walls 4 thereof is a block 44 of suitable material which is secured Vto the base member by suitable rivets 45. The block 44 is .provided with a vertically extending bore 4.6 in which is positioned .a screw 47 having a suitable hand-gripping head 48. Threadedly mounted on the screw 47 is a nut or wedge member 49 having a vertically extending face V51 bearing against the surface 52 of the block 44, and a tapered or inclined wedge surface 53 which bears against the end face or ,edge 54 of the end portion 42 of the compression member 3l, upward movement of the portion 42 of the compression member being restricted by the .face 55 of the block 44.

Thus by rotating the screw 47 in a direction to move the wedge member 49 upwardly, longitudinal compression forces are applied to the member 3l, such forces bei-ng transmitted to the vertically extending portion 32 of such member to rig-idly clamp lthe vertical portion 25 of the blade 24 `between the adjacent faces of the portion 32 .of the member 31 and the edges l1 of the structure 3. Vertical movement of the compression member 3i is pre.- vented by the portions thereof bearing on the surface 55 of the block 44 and .on the bottom wall 5 of the base member, as well as the engagement of the flange 33 in the slots i7 of the structure 3.

.Slidably mounted for longitudinal movement along the upperv edges of the side walls 4 of the base member is a gauge and marker member 56, the latter likewise being formed from suitable sheet material, and having downwardly lextending flanges 57 positioned adjacent the external faces of the side walls 4 which form guide means for the member 56, limiting the movement thereof to a longitudinal direction. The member 56 is provided with an elongated slot 58 through which the screw 47 extends, with the head 4S of the latter bearing on the outer face .of the member 56. Thus when the screw 48 is rotted into a vblade locking position, the member S6 is likewise lirmly locked to the base member 2. The forward end 59 of the member 56 is provided with a downwardly `extending flange 6l, with the horizontal end edge of `the ange v6i being suitably beveled to form a seribing or marking edge .62. The edge 62 also serves as an index point with the member 56 as the other index point. VThus the member 5% may be readily adjusted with reference to 4the graduations 63 to position the index edge ,62 thereof at any desired distance from the end 4.3 of the vbase member 2.

ln use, the blade 24 may be readily adjusted by turning the vhead 4S .of the screw 47 in a direction to Vrelease the wedge member 49 with respect to the compression member 5l, thereby unlocking the Vblade 24, following which the blade may be elevated or lowered by turning the head 23 of the screw 22 in the desired direction, and following adjustment of -the blade, the screw 47 is then rotated to draw the wedge member 49 upwardly, and again lock the blade in its adjusted position.

When it is ,desired to use the member 56 as a gauge or marker, .the screw 47 is merely loosened suiciently to permit longitudinal movement of the member 56 to its desired position, following which the screw 47 is again tightened.

VI n use, the structure 3 may be grasped in one hand of the user, and the plane guided by grasping the head 43 of the screw 47 with the other hand. Y It will be noted 'that as the cutting edge 29 of the blade 24 is of substantially the same width as the distance between the external faces .of the side walls 4 of the base member, and aS. the Jrivets 1 8 utilize flat heads which are positioned Vllush with .the external surface fof the side walls 4, a relatively deep rabbet o r Ygroove may be `readily `cut with the plane.

It will be noted from vthe above description that with the exception of the screws 22 and 47, block 44 and wedge member 49, all of the component parts of the plane may be readily formed from sheet or similar suitable material by means of stamping operations, eliminating costly manufacturing methods and enabling the production of an eflicient, but relatively very inexpensive plane ot the type involved. Likewise, the present invention enables the production of such a plane with a minimum number of parts, the blade locking means also being utilized to lock the gauge or marking element in operative position.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, l do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What l claim as' new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. ln a hand plane, the combination of an elongated body member, a screw rotatably carried by said body member, a blade member having a horizontal cutting edge at its 'lower en d, said blade having means threadedly engaged with said screw, compression means carried by said body member and having a portion engaging said blade for exerting "locking forces thereon, and adjusting means including a yhand gripping member axially adjustable and operatively .related to said compression means `for moving said .compression means in a blade locking direction, said compression means and screw having cooperable means for restrict-ing axial movement of said screw.

2. In a band plane, the combination of an elongated body member, aV blade Vmember including a vertically extending shank member and a horizontal cutting edge at its lower end, vertically extending screw means for vertically adjusting said blade member, said blade member 'includ-ing a horizontally extending portion complemental ly formed to receive the aforesaid screw means, compression means carried by said body member and having a portion engaging the vertically extending shank member ot -said blade member -for exerting locking forces thereon, and vscre-w means operatively related to said compression means for moving the same relative to said body member in a direction to urge lsaid compression means in a blade locking direction.

3. In a hand plane, the combination of an elongated base member including an upwardly extending hand gripping portion, a vertically extending screw rotatably carried by said gripping portion, a blade member having a horizontal cutting edge at its lower end and having a `threaded bore in its upper end, said screw being positioned in said base member and threadedly engaged with said blade membeand lproviding adiusting means therefor, compression member carried by said base member and having a portion engaging said blade for exerting locking forces thereon, wedge member engageable with said compression member, and screw means operatively related. to said wed-ge member for moving the same relative to said base member yin a direction to urge said compression mernber in a blade locking direction, said screw means extending above the base member and providing a second hand gripping element by means of which the device may ibe operated.

y4. 'In a hand plane, the combination ol an elongated body member, a screw rotatably carried by said body member, a blade member having a horizontal cutting edge at its lower .end and having a threaded bore in its upper end, said screw being positioned in said body-member and threadedlyengaged with said blade member and providing adjusting ymeans therefor, a compression member carried by said body member and vhaving a portion en- .gaging said -blade for .exerting locking forces thereon,

and means carried by said body member engageable with said compression member, for moving the latter in a blade locking direction, said compression member and screw having cooperable interlocking portions which restrict axial movement of the screw but permit rotation thereof.

5. In a hand plane, the combination of an elongated base member which is U-shaped in transverse cross section having a pair of upwardly extending parallel side walls connected by a horizontally extending intermediate bottom wall which forms a work-engaging surface, a hand gripping structure comprising a pair of like generally triangularly-shaped members, the latter having similarly flanged edges, and arranged in opposed relation, said anged members being seated in the base member and extending thereabove, means rigidly securing said anged members to the base member, said base member having an opening in the bottom thereof adjacent the hand gripping structure, a blade member having a generally vertical intermediate portion and oppositely directed horizontally extending upper and lower end portions, said lower end portion extending through the opening in the base member with the end edge thereof being formed to provide a transversely extending cutting edge, the side walls adjacent said opening being deformed inwardly to provide clearance above said cutting edge for shavings and the like, the upper end portion of the blade member having a threaded bore therein, a vertically extending adjustment screw positioned in the hand gripping structure and having a peripheral slot therein intermediate its ends, the latter having an opening therein through which the upper end of the blade member extends, said screw being threadedly engaged with the threads of the bore in said blade member, an elongated compression member having a generally horizontally extending portion positioned in said base member and a vertically extending portion terminating at its upper end in an oppositely disposed generally horizontally extending ange, said lange extending through an opening in the hand gripping structure and engaged with the slot in said screw for restricting axial movement thereof, and means carried by said base member related to the opposite end of said compression member for applying compression forces to said compression member whereby the vertical portion of said blade member may be rigidly clamped between the vertical portion of the compression member and an adjacent portion of the hand gripping structure.

6. In a hand plane, the combination of an elongated base member which is U-shaped in transverse cross section having a pair of upwardly extending parallel side walls connected by a horizontally extending intermediate bottom wall which forms a work-engaging surface, a hand gripping structure comprising a pair of like generally triangularly-shaped members, the later having similarly flanged edges, and arranged in opposed relation, said anged members being seated in the base member and extending thereabove, means rigidly securing said anged members to the base member, a blade member having a generally vertical intermediate portion and oppositely directed horizontally extending upper and lower end portions, the end edge of the lower end portion being formed to provide a transversely extending cutting edge, the upper end portion having a threaded bore therein, a vertically extending adjustment screw positioned in the hand gripping structure and having a peripheral slot therein intermediate its ends, said hand gripping structure having an opening therein through which the upper end of the blade member extends, said screw being threadedly engaged with the threads of the bore in said blade member, an elongated compression member having a generally horizontally extending portion positioned in said base member and a vertically extending portion terminating at its upper end in an oppositely disposed generally horizontally extending ange, said ange extending through an opening in the hand gripping structure and engaged with the slot in said screw for restricting axial movement thereof,

a wedge member adjacent the opposite end of `said compression member, and screw means operatively carried by said base member, operatively connected to said Wedge for moving the same in a direction to apply compression forces to said compression member whereby the vertical portion of said blade member may be rigidly clamped between the vertical portion of the compression member and an adjacent portion of the hand gripping structure.

7. An adjusting screw for a hand plane including a blade member, clamping means for the blade member and a vertical hand gripping structure complementally formed to receive the adjusting screw and blade member, said adjusting screw including a gripping head complementally formed to abut the upper end of the hand gripping structure, the lower end of the adjusting screw complementally threaded to said blade member for vertically adjusting the blade member, an annular groove formed intermediate the ends of said adjusting screw, and said annular groove complementally formed to said clamping means and a slot formed in said vertical hand gripping structure whereby with said adjusting screw, blade, clamping means, and hand gripping structure assembled together on the hand plane, rotation of the adjusting screw vertically adjusts the blade.

8. Clamping means for a blade of a hand plane comprising an adjusting screw formed with an annular groove, said blade including a vertically extending shank portion, and said hand plane including a frame having spaced parallel side walls with parallel upper edges and a base member, said clamping means comprising an adjusting head formed for abutting the parallel upper edges, a longitudinally extending member complementally formed for adjustment with respect to said adjusting head, said longitudinally extending member formed for engaging the inner face of said base member intennediate its ends, said clamping means including vertically extending means for engagement with said vertically extending shank portion of said blade means, and said vertically extending means comprising means complementally formed to said annular groove, whereby said clamping means prevents vertical movement of said adjusting `screw upon adjustment of said blade and said clamping means adapted for clamping the blade in each of its adjusted positions.

9. A plane body for a hand plane comprising a body member including a base member, spaced parallel side walls formed with parallel upper edges and aflixed to a base member, said side walls of said body member at one end arcnately formed, a hand gripping structure comprising a pair of similarly formed triangularly shaped members, the hypotenuse thereof arcnately shaped and concentric with respect to the arcnately formed side walls of the body member, said side walls spaced apart to complementally receive the spaced triangularly shaped members atixed thereto, said upper end of the triangularly shaped members formed to complementally receive an adjusting screw for a blade member operatively mounted for vertical movement between the side walls, said parallel upper edges of said side walls adapted for mounting an adjusting head of a clamping means for clamping the blade member and said side walls complementally formed to adjustably receive said clamping means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 160,132 Weaver Feb. 23, 1875 385,231 Bissegger June 26, 1888 453,524 Tuoti June 2, 1891 496,267 Maddox Apr. 25, 1893 793,297 Hesley June 27, 1905 1,031,509 Aylor July 2, 1912 1,166,437 Collins Jan. 4, 1916 1,642,044 Ritter Sept. 13, 1927 1,696,584 Schwer Dec. 25, 1928 2,565,193 Aubin Aug. 21, 1951 

